International Flights May Return To Don Mueang

[sriracha john]

Int'l flights may return to Don Mueang

The board of Airports of Thailand (AoT) is to decide today if it will invite non-connecting international flights to return to Don Mueang airport to relieve congestion at Suvarnabhumi. An AoT source said the proposal is in line with a directive from the cabinet asking if better use could be made of Don Mueang. The cabinet instructed AoT to look into the matter last February when it agreed Don Mueang should reopen for non-connecting domestic flights. AoT then referred the matter for study to the International Civil Aviation Organisation. The ICAO agreed that non-connecting international flights should follow suit, the source said. Suvarnabhumi was designed to serve up to 45 million passengers annually. But this year's traffic is expected to rise to 46.7 million passengers, from 43.12 million last year.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/20Sep2007_news06.php

[cclub75]

Int'l flights may return to Don Mueang

At last, a good decision (we'll see tomorrow).

Before AOT complete the extension of Suva (new terminal + third runway), using DM for international flights is the only solution.

[londonthai]

good, in a few years will have a train directly to my doorstep on thonburi - for the new airport train link I don't have much hope soon.

don muang was good for a train station and travel to north or north east

[ovenman]

This reads like a face-saving method to get AirAsia to move their operations to Don Mueang. This was actually the original plan until international flights at Don Mueang was nixed at the last minute by some AOT poo-yai. AirAsia was ready to make the jump but then opted to stay at Suvarnabhumi as they want their operation all in one location.

[britmaveric]

Not surprised... should have used both all along.

[Crossy]

Yep, a sensible idea. Put the low cost carriers at DM, flag carriers at Suv. Remove this totally dumb idea of Thai flying some domestic from DM and others from Suv

Of course, they should never have closed DM in the first place.

Time to dust off the plans for the airport rail extension (to DM) that we designed 18 months ago.

[sriracha john]

How quickly the new airport got outdated.

What type of plans are there for a DM rail link?

[wileycoyote]

When do you think the new schedules will be released ?

Wiley Coyote

[ovenman]

When do you think the new schedules will be released ?

New schedules for what?

[Crossy]

What type of plans are there for a DM rail link?

The ARL extension was originally devised as part of the Red Line project, continuing on from the current ARL terminus and turning right following the existing SRT alignment (the Hopewell route) as far as Rangsit. There were also big ideas about through-checked baggage and other stuff.

This is certainly still feasible with the revised Red Line plans (metre gauge with diesel power) but I don't think it's actually in the current bid scope. We shall have to see.

[ilyushin]

Great news! I've always been fond of DMK. Look forward to more international traffic. Only a few commercial charters and biz jets at the moment originating from abroad.

[lazeeboy]

Great news! I've always been fond of DMK. Look forward to more international traffic. Only a few commercial charters and biz jets at the moment originating from abroad.

sooner the better in my opinion..

[baboon]

Yep, I would love to go back to DM. Much, much more convinient for me in every respect!

[tartempion]

Not surprised... should have used both all along.

Most certainly NOT

Build a new airport for ALL flights and then have to re-open the old one for SOME flights.

Bad design, bad planning, in short: a bunch of idiots at work.

[xbusman]

Thats a little harsh.

When the new airport was designed, it was more than big enough to handle all of Thailands needs for the future. Unfortunately, the time scale is different in Thailand and by the time they opened it, the future had sped past.

While I agree, it would have been much better to build six runways, three terminals and four new rail links, sometimes we forget we live in a third world country with very limited resources. So spending on infrastructure takes away from education, health and welfare, items that are sorely needed and underfunded during the best of times. Add to that the corruption charge and any capital improvement like the new airport becomes insanely expensive.

It was a miracle they got SUV built, got it opened and have had no major problems. You have to give the people on the ground a lot of credit for all that, it was a major major undertaking. Now with BKK operating regularly, the quick and easy solution is to just reopen Don Meung and have two major airports like most other hub cities in the world. Instant and reliable double capacity with a minimum of fuss.

Given the resources, the abysmal management, the rife corruption, and the pressure of air traffic in general, I think they did an admirable job and will be prepared for the next 30 years to safely and conveniently handle passenger traffic in Thailand. Could it have been better, sure. Thats particularly easy to see from my comfy office after the fact.

It will be nice to see old Don Meung open again and in full swing. Hopefully they will tie the airports together soon with some sort of rail system to bypass that dreadful traffic.

[sriracha john]

TWIN AIRPORTS POLICY

AoT told to speed up Don Mueang study

Airports of Thailand (AoT) has been told to quickly complete its feasibility study on Don Mueang airport's ability to take international flights once Suvarnabhumi reaches capacity next year. Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen said AoT should not wait for a report by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), as that would take another six to nine months to finish. Instead AoT should hurry up the study because the number of people using Suvarnabhumi airport had almost reached the annual capacity of 45 million passengers. Theera said international flights within the region with no connections would probably be relocated from Suvarnabhumi to Don Mueang airport by the end of next year. The AoT had to work out with airline operators which flights could be moved to Don Mueang in that timeframe. Deputy Transport Minister Sansern Wongcha-um said the cabinet approved AoT's plan for the ICAO to make a study of Don Mueang airport's capacity in February. The ICAO earlier told AoT it could submit a report within nine months of it signing a contract. However, the contract had yet to be signed. The number of passengers at Suvarnabhumi is expected to exceed capacity next year.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/09Nov2007_news05.php

[sriracha john]

AoT wants international flights to use Don Mueang

Airports of Thailand (AoT) wants to use Don Mueang airport for international flights to help serve Bangkok passenger traffic and delay the expansion of Suvarnabhumi airport. The idea has been opposed, however, by the agencies involved, which insist that the AoT use only Suvarnabhumi for the sake of transport convenience. AoT adviser Passakorn Suwankanit said Suvarnabhumi airport would reach its full capacity of 45 million passengers a year in 2009, even if Don Mueang airport served all domestic flights. In his opinion, even though Suvarnabhumi could be expanded under its second- and third-phase development, traffic would reach saturation point by 2015. "The best way out is to use Don Mueang as the airport for both domestic and international flights of low-cost airlines." ''This will enable us to delay the expansion of Suvarnabhumi airport for five years,'' Passakorn said at a workshop attended by AoT executives and airlines' representatives. Today, Don Mueang airport serves only the domestic flights of Thai Airways, One-Two-Go and Nok Air.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/27Nov2007_news05.php

[quiksilva]

The mind boggles...

[Kerryd]

Very short-sighted planning. To build an airport and expect it to reach it's full capacity in less than 9 years after opening, and then to exceed expected capacity just over a year after opening ?

If they are already exceeding the capacity they expected to hit in 2015, how many more passengers will they have by then ? We haven't even seen the chaos that will come when the A380s start regular runs, not to mention that other high capacity jets that will soon be flying. Imagine the line ups at Immigration when one of those lands, and you are stuck in the back of cattle class. The Immigration lines will run almost to the boarding gates !

Then they mention that reopening DM will allow them to delay expansion at Swampy for another 5 years. Great plan. Any expansion will take years to complete (the expansion of the Dubai Terminal 1 has been going on for years now, and they have supertankers full of money to throw at it). So, by the time any expansion is complete, it will already be over-capacity and need another quick (or not so quick) fix to resolve the problems. Not to mention that a 5 year delay will mean significantly increased costs as well when they finally do get around to expanding.

Reopen DM to take some of the pressure off of Swampy, and then start the planned expansion now. Unless some significant, world-wide event changes things drastically, the number of air travellers isn't likely to drop in the near future. If anything, the numbers will increase as more and more of the world's population find they can suddenly afford to fly.

[sriracha john]

Thai Airways labour union opposes move back to Don Muang

Thai Airways International (THAI) is in a flap over a proposed plan to use Don Muang Airport as the country’s subsidiary international airport. Somsak Srinuan, acting chairman of THAI’s labour union, led a group of 30 others to express disapproval over the plan through an open-letter handed to PM Surayud Chulanont on Tuesday. "We are calling on the government to reconsider the move since having two international airports in the capital could result in managerial mayhem and create confusion with the air cargo transport system,” Somsak declared. The government was also reminded that Thai International Public Company is the largest air carrier in the country with the largest stakes at Suvarnabhumi Airport, therefore THAI would no doubt be severely affected by the re-opening of Don Muang as an international airport.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=123990

[londonthai]

"We are calling on the government to reconsider the move since having two international airports in the capital could result in managerial mayhem and create confusion with the air cargo transport system,” Somsak declared. The government was also reminded that Thai International Public Company is the largest air carrier in the country with the largest stakes at Suvarnabhumi Airport, therefore THAI would no doubt be severely affected by the re-opening of Don Muang as an international airport.

strange trade union, who does care of the management interests and government profits and not about it's membership working rights

[PeaceBlondie]

Mai bpen rai; not to worry. It has already been determined that the entire economy of the USA will evaporate to dust within the next 30 days, taking Western Europe, China and Japan with it. King Power can set up 985 more duty free outlets at Suvanaphum.

[sriracha john]

Theera reluctant to use Don Mueang

Use Suvarnabhumi better, he tells AoT

Despite calls for more flights to use the old airport, Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen are reluctant to use Don Mueang and have advised the Airports of Thailand (AoT) to make better use of Suvarnabhumi. The AoT board on Saturday decided to use Don Mueang for both local and international flights so the AoT would not be faced with the immediate and costly expansion of the congested Suvarnabhumi. Theera said the plan needed careful consideration, and should take into account the national interests and the promotion of Suvarnabhumi airport as a regional transport hub.

The minister believes good management alone can increase the capacity of Suvarnabhumi from 45 million to 50 million passengers annually.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/04Dec2007_news05.php

[onzestan]

Theera reluctant to use Don Mueang

Use Suvarnabhumi better, he tells AoT

The minister believes good management alone can increase the capacity of Suvarnabhumi from 45 million to 50 million passengers annually.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/04Dec2007_news05.php

He's most probably right on that one, but where to find good managers?

Cheers

onzestan

[sriracha john]

This might gum up the works...

Thai Airways refuses to return to Don Mueang

News of Don Mueang Airport resuming services for international flights may be welcome news to some, but certainly not Thai Airways International (THAI) and fellow Star Alliance members. THAI chief Apinant Sumaseranee assured the public that THAI and 17 other members of Star Alliance will not resume flight services at Don Mueang after having invested in over 67 billion baht in Suvarnabhumi. The Star Alliance, a major airline alliance of which Thai Airways is also a member handed an open letter to Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen protesting against a proposed plan to resume international flights at Don Mueang Airport in hopes of easing congestion at Suvarnabhumi Airport. "The initial idea was for Suvarnabhumi to be the aviation hub of Asia. For this to happen, there must not be a subsidiary airport,” said Apinant. "Having two airports in one city will create more problems for ground staff and for passengers,” he added. “The problem with congestion at Suvarnabhumi can be resolved through proper management,” he said, citing his experience as a pilot that “having two hubs would only be the root of problems to come.”

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=124217

[xbusman]

There is a terrible dilemma forming around this brought on by the poor planning and horrific corruption. Here it is in a nutshell.

The new airport is not sufficient to handle the ongoing growth. Because of corruption, it is perhaps the most expensive airport in the world with corresponding operating costs right up there with Charles DeGaul. Think about that for a minute. The costs of our swamp in Thailand is neck and neck with prime Paris real estate and French workers.

So here you are running Thai air, the national carrier. Already under attack from low cost carriers eating your profits, forced to employ every retired air force general since Orville took off, and their kids, with equipment that is old, outdated and originally too expensive because of corruption. So they want to stick you in the swamp and pay extraordinary fees for the new airport while your low cost competitor sneaks back to DMK which was paid off in 1923. Air Asia will simply bury Thai air. There is simply no chance of survival and we are not even talking long term, about five years should do it.

Any question as to why the Thai Air unions are nearly hysterical with this concept. While everyone knows that this can be the only solution, there is obviously huge resistance to it for these reasons inside the government. AOT knows they will eventually have to open DMK but its going to be bloody when they do.

[lomatopo]

There is a terrible dilemma forming around this brought on by the poor planning and horrific corruption. Here it is in a nutshell.

The new airport is not sufficient to handle the ongoing growth. Because of corruption, it is perhaps the most expensive airport in the world with corresponding operating costs right up there with Charles DeGaul. Think about that for a minute. The costs of our swamp in Thailand is neck and neck with prime Paris real estate and French workers.

Can you support your "nutshell" assertion with any accurate data? Would love to see your figures re: operating costs. Especially details re: BKK vs. DMK and even CDG. AFAIK landing fees are still regionally competitive but you seem to possess inside information. Please share as it helps support proclamations that quite frankly otherwise sound silly.

Operating costs for FD would be equivalent at DMK as they are at BKK, unless AoT offers some discounts. They'd lost some O&D traffic of course but could greatly benefit from potential increased efficiencies as a result of quicker turn-around times.

TG seems to be pretty strong on many international routes and offer quite competitive fares, and unique services, especially in the profitable Y+, C and F cabins. I flew TG BKK-FRA-BKK in F a few days ago, a simply outstanding product, on the ground and in the air. Fully equivalent to SQ and NH, IME.

I haven't heard much about it lately but I remember hearing that one of the runways (3L/21R?) at DMK was unusable and needed significant repairs. Has anyone heard any updates on this issue?

[ClaytonSeymour]

There is a terrible dilemma forming around this brought on by the poor planning and horrific corruption. Here it is in a nutshell.

The new airport is not sufficient to handle the ongoing growth. Because of corruption, it is perhaps the most expensive airport in the world with corresponding operating costs right up there with Charles DeGaul. Think about that for a minute. The costs of our swamp in Thailand is neck and neck with prime Paris real estate and French workers.

So here you are running Thai air, the national carrier. Already under attack from low cost carriers eating your profits, forced to employ every retired air force general since Orville took off, and their kids, with equipment that is old, outdated and originally too expensive because of corruption. So they want to stick you in the swamp and pay extraordinary fees for the new airport while your low cost competitor sneaks back to DMK which was paid off in 1923. Air Asia will simply bury Thai air. There is simply no chance of survival and we are not even talking long term, about five years should do it. You seem to be forgetting that moving back to DMK would also pose problems FD.

Any question as to why the Thai Air unions are nearly hysterical with this concept. While everyone knows that this can be the only solution, there is obviously huge resistance to it for these reasons inside the government. AOT knows they will eventually have to open DMK but its going to be bloody when they do.

[sriracha john]

SUVARNABHUMI CAPACITY

Holiday surge leads to crowded airport

The crowding at Suvarnabhumi Airport is becoming even more apparent during the holiday season as the airport's capacity is fully utilised. Average daily passenger traffic through Bangkok's new airport between Dec 28 and Jan 3 is expected to be 121,000 passengers, exceeding the airport's designed capacity of 120,000 passengers, said Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT). About 17,000 more passengers are expected to go through the airport each day in the period, above the daily average of 104,285 passengers on normal days. In other words, there would be 850,000 more passengers passing through the airport in the period. Higher passenger volumes reflect a 21% increase in international flight numbers. However, the domestic flight numbers through the Suvarnabhumi are falling as many non-connecting domestic flights were diverted to the old Don Mueang Airport that was reopened in March this year. The busiest days at Suvarnabhumi will be on Dec 29 and Jan 2 when there would be 38 and 25 additional flights operating, respectively. Planners at AoT, the monopoly that runs the country's six major airports, believes the volume through Suvarnabhumi would soar to 44.5 million passengers next year.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/27Dec2007_biz25.php

[wileycoyote]

SUVARNABHUMI CAPACITY

Holiday surge leads to crowded airport

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/27Dec2007_biz25.php

What do you think TG should do,have a monopoly of all domestic from Suvarabhumi ?

Wiley Coyote